Three states poised to legalize same-sex marriage

Three states are poised to make history by legalizing same-sex marriage outright via a ballot measure.

Maryland was the first state to legalize gay marriage with a ballot initiative when its Question 6 passed by a margin of about 4 percent.

The question of same-sex marriage also looks likely to pass in Maine and Washington state, with 54 percent and 52 percent of the vote in their respective states.

Minnesota, which previously approved civil unions for homosexuals, boasts an initiative to ban same-sex marriage and define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

As it stands, there are 10,000 more no votes, but at an estimated 48 percent to 48 percent draw, it’s a little too close to call. However, if this slim lead holds up, same-sex marriage will be allowed in Minnesota and the “one man, one woman” definition no longer will apply.

Six states and the District of Columbia previously passed laws allowing same-sex marriage but each was through state legislature or judicial rulings.